Lamington, New Guinea

Location: 9.0S, 148.2 E
Elevation: 5,510 feet (1,680 m)

The large (VEI=4) explosive
eruption at Lamington in 1951 was the first and only activity at this
stratovolcano is historical time. Six days of precursor activity
culminated in the catastrophic eruption. Nearly 3,000 people were killed
by pyroclastic flows. An area of 68 square miles was destroyed. The
eruption also produced mudflows and continued to 1956. The form of the
cone and style of activity was very similar to Mount Pelee.

Repeatedly, domes were slowly extruded from the vent only to collapse
and form pyroclastic flows. One dome grew 1,900 feet (580 m) above the
floor of the crater prior to its collapse. Taylor's description of the
1951 Lamington eruption is probably the most detailed report on a
Pelean eruption this
century. This photo shows the central dome in 1970. Photo courtesy of
Jack Lockwood, U.S. Geological Survey.